2021-22 Coaches Guidebook - Michigan High School Athletic ...
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Coaches
Guidebook
2021-22
© 2021 Michigan High School Athletic Association
2021-22 NATIONAL TESTING DATES
Please advise students of the 2021-22 test date schedule. Your students should be aware of athletic tourna-
ment dates and should attempt to schedule their respective test date away from tournament dates of the sport
or sports in which they are interested and participate. Following are test dates for 2021-22 (publicized as of June
18, 2021) and dates where tournaments would create conflict.
SAT TESTING DATES CONFLICTS
August 28, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
October 2, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. UP Girls Tennis
November 6, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LP Cross Country Finals, LP Boys Soccer Finals
11-Player Football Districts, 8-Player Football Regionals
December 4, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
March 12, 2022 . . . . . .Girls Gymnastics Finals, Ice Hockey Finals, LP Boys Swimming & Diving Finals
May 7, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
June 4, 2022 . . . .Baseball Districts, Softball Districts, LP Boys Golf Regionals, UP Boys Tennis Finals,
Boys Lacrosse Regionals, Girls Lacrosse Regionals, LP Girls Soccer Districts, LP Girls Tennis Finals,
LP and UP Track & Field Finals, UP Boys Tennis Finals, UP Boys & Girls Golf Finals
ACT ASSESSMENT DATES CONFLICTS
September 11, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
October 23, 2021 LP Boys Soccer Districts, UP Cross Country Finals
December 11, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
February 12, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
April 2, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
June 11, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LP Boys Golf Finals, Boys and Girls Lacrosse Finals,
Baseball Regionals; Softball Regionals, LP Girls Soccer Regionals
July 16, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
PSAT/NMSQT DATES
October 13 (During school) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Girls Golf Regionals
October 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Girls Golf Finals
October 26 (Make up, during school) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
AP EXAM DATES CONFLICTS
May 2-6, 9-13, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .None
(Advanced Placement Exams are administered over a five-day period for each subject)
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION EXAM DATES
The Michigan Department of Education instituted a spring online testing period which involves a window of
approximately four or seven weeks. At the time of the MHSAA Handbook printing, the 2021-22 window was pub-
lished as Monday-Friday, April 11-May 6, 2022. The window does not appear to conflict with MHSAA spring tour-
naments and has apparently increased flexibility as the online tests may be administered on any instructional day
and not all students. It also appears that make up test dates are established within the window.
International Baccalaureate Testing involves daytime testing windows that occur during school days and may
extend into evening hours. There are two IB Testing windows that may conflict with many MHSAA tournament
events: Oct. 25-Nov. 12, 2021 and April 28-May 20, 2022. Fall IB testing may conflict with daytime events
such as LP XC Regionals and LP Girls Swimming & Diving Regionals. Spring IB testing may conflict with
LP Track & Field Regionals and LP Girls Tennis Regionals.
GUIDEBOOK FOR
HIGH SCHOOL COACHES
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION
2021-22
MHSAA
1661 Ramblewood Drive
East Lansing, Michigan 48823-7392
(517) 332-5046
Fax – (517) 332-4071
mhsaa.com
The Coaches Guidebook has been developed to assist Michigan high school and junior high/mid-
dle school coaches (faculty and non-faculty, paid and volunteer) in their knowledge of regulations and
guidelines serving interscholastic athletics. In no way should coaches interpret the material in this
Guidebook as the complete answer to every athletic situation. Coaches must maintain close contact
with their athletic directors and other school administrators who have access to more comprehensive
publications.
MHSAA STAFF
Tony Bihn, Director of Information Systems Andrea Osters, Assistant Director
Jordan Cobb, Assistant Director, Information Systems Thomas M. Rashid, Associate Director
Sam Davis, Officials Department Staff Brent Rice, Assistant Director
Andy Frushour, Director of Brand Management Laura Roberts, Receptionist/Officials Registrar
Scott Helmic, Custodian & Building Maintenance John Ross, Director of Broadcast Properties
Dan Hutcheson, Assistant Director Adam Ryder, Assistant Director, Information Systems
Cody Inglis, Assistant Director Mark Uyl, Executive Director
Rob Kaminski, Website & Publications Coordinator Jamie VanDerMoere, Administrative Assistant
Geoff Kimmerly, Communications Director Ryan Wieferich, Administrative Assistant
Camala Kinder, Administrative Assistant Tricia Wieferich, Administrative Assistant
Cole Malatinsky, Project Coordinator/Sport Assistant Kathy Vruggink Westdorp, Assistant Director
Lesli Marowelli, Accounting Manager Paige Winne, Social Media Coordinator/Sport Assistant
Will McKoy, Assistant Director Karen Yonkers, Executive Assistant
CONTACT PERSONS & PRESIDENTS FOR COACHES ASSOCIATIONS
Professional development is an important way for coaches to improve and grow in their respective
sports. In Michigan we are fortunate to have individual associations for all of the MHSAA Tournament
Sports. Please consult the MHSAA Website at mhsaa.com for current presidents and contact persons for
these associations. The list is located from “About the MHSAA” at the top of any page of the Website.
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
1
COACHES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
I’m married to a coach. I was a coach. Every boss I’ve ever had was a
coach. I owe almost everything I am to coaches – the overlooked, underpaid,
high school and junior high school coach.
But more importantly, coaches have made athletics one of the most cost
efficient and educationally accountable aspects of secondary schools.
Nowhere in education do you find it as often as you do in school athletics that
teachers are teaching what they want to teach, to students who are learning
what they want to learn, and both are willing to work hour after hour on their
own time, after school, to make certain that everything that can be taught is
taught and everything that can be learned is learned.
Coaches may not be the reason students come out for sports, but they’re usually the rea-
son students stay out for sports. Coaches don’t give students ability, but they discover or
develop it. Coaches make both the quantitative and qualitative difference. Coaches are the
reason some schools win more than others. Coaches are the reason some schools have better
sportsmanship than others. Coaches are the reason some schools have a more educationally
based program than others. Coaches make the difference between a program of excesses
and a program of education.
Coaches are the critical link in the educational process of athletics, they are the critical link
in the sportsmanship at contests, and they are the critical link in the traditions of success which
some schools enjoy. It has always been so, and it always will be so. No one higher up or lower
down the organizational chart has more impact on athletes than do coaches. Coaches are the
delivery system of educational athletics, and they have delivered well!
Coaches, nothing that is done in high school athletics in this state is more important than
what you do with your athletes day-in and day-out during the season. Thank you for your
essential contribution and, please, stay with your high calling. You make the difference.
Coach, this is educational athletics. Learning is more important than winning. But your
attention to the information in this book and your cooperation with the administrators of your
school will help your teams be successful in 2021-22.
It is important that you see yourself as the teacher of students more than the coach of a
sport. Your support of coaches of other sports and your encouragement that “your athletes”
participate in other sports and school activities will help these students receive a complete
educational experience that will serve them better than any one-dimensional experience.
Mark Uyl
MHSAA Executive Director
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
2TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBJECT PAGE
I. Athletic Codes: Coaches and Athletes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
II. Administration and Coaches of Teams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
III. Coaching Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
IV. Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
V. Playing Rules and Rating Officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
VI. Disqualification Rules for Athletes and Coaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
VII. Sportsmanship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
VIII. Eligibility Rules for Athletes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
IX. Coach-Player Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
X. Rules for Sports (Senior High Schools) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
1. Baseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
2. Basketball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
3. Bowling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
4. Girls Competitive Cheer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
5. Cross Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
6. Football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
7. Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
8. Girls Gymnastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
9. Ice Hockey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
10. Lacrosse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
11. Skiing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
12. Soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
13. Girls Softball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
14. Swimming & Diving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
15. Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
16. Track & Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
17. Girls Volleyball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
18. Wrestling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
XI. Rules for Sports (Junior High/Middle Schools) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
XII. Scrimmages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
XIII. Summer Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Appendix A–Coaching Expectations and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Appendix B–Coaches Area of Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Appendix C–Coaches Advancement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Appendix D–Tobacco & Alcohol Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Appendix E–Public Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Appendix F–2020-21 MHSAA Playing Rule and Point Differential Adoptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Appendix G–Baseball Pitching Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Appendix H–Football Practice Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Appendix I–Concussion Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Appendix J–Model Policy for Managing Heat & Humidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Appendix K–Heat Index Calculation and Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
3I. ATHLETIC CODES FOR COACHES & ATHLETES
Schools voluntarily join the MHSAA each school year by resolution of their respective Boards of Education.
Member schools may have additional codes and requirements for coaches, athletes, administrators and even
spectators. The following are guidelines, not MHSAA Regulations.
A. ATHLETIC CODE FOR COACHES
The Coach is the official representative of the school at interscholastic athletic activities. In this important capacity,
these standards should be practiced:
1. Develop an understanding of the role of interscholastic athletics and communicate it to players, parents and the
public.
2. Develop an up-to-date knowledge of the rules, strategies, precautions, and skills of the sport and communicate
them to players and parents.
3. Develop, communicate and model policies for athletes’ conduct and language in the locker room, at practice,
during travel, during competition, and at other appropriate times.
4. Develop fair, unprejudiced relationships with all squad members.
5. Allow athletes to prove themselves anew each season and do not base team selections on previous seasons
or out-of-season activities.
6. Allow athletes time to develop skills and interests in other athletic and non-athletic activities provided by the
school and community groups.
7. Give the highest degree of attention to athletes’ physical well-being.
8. Teach players, by precept and example, respect for school authorities and contest officials, providing support for
them in cases of adverse decisions and refraining from critical comments in public or to the media.
9. Teach players strict adherence to game rules and contest regulations.
10. Present privately, through proper school authorities, evidence of rule violations by opponents; and counteract
rumors and unproven allegations of questionable practices by opponents.
11. Attend required meetings, keep abreast of MHSAA policies regarding the sport, and be familiar with MHSAA eli-
gibility and contest regulations.
12. Present a clean and professional image in terms of personal appearance, and provide a positive role model in
terms of personal habits, language and conduct. Use of tobacco within sight of players and spectators and use
of alcohol any time before a contest on the day of the contest is not acceptable.
B. FOR ATHLETES
1. Know and adhere to the athletic code of the school.
2. Exceed all attendance and academic requirements as practical evidence of loyalty to school and team and a
proper philosophy of school sponsored athletics.
3. Observe completely all policies regarding conduct, doing so as a duty to school, team and self.
4. Counsel with the athletic director over questions of eligibility.
5. Practice and play fairly, giving complete effort in all circumstances and credit in victory to teammates and to
opponents in defeat.
6. Accept favorable and unfavorable decisions, as well as victory and defeat, with equal grace.
7. Demonstrate respect for opponents and officials, before during and after contests.
Participation in extracurricular competitive interscholastic athletics is a student’s privilege, not a right, that can be removed
at any time for failure to meet the standards and requirements of particular teams, school or school districts, leagues or con-
ferences, and regional, statewide or national organizations to which the student’s school belongs.
STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL BELIEF STATEMENT
We believe athletes should be competitive, sportsmanlike and excel academically. We believe students in the stands
should have fun, but not take the focus away from the game. We believe coaches should act as teachers, helping stu-
dent-athletes develop while still keeping high school sports in perspective. We believe that parents should always be pos-
itive role models and be supportive of their child's decisions. We believe officials commit their own time to high school
sports and respect should always be shown and given to them.
The most important goal for student-athletes is to enjoy high school sports while keeping a high level of respect between
all those involved in the games.
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
4II. ADMINISTRATION AND COACHES OF TEAMS
A. The superintendent of schools or principal of the high school, or that member of the faculty designated by either of
them, shall administer the teams representing the school and shall execute all contest and official’s contracts.
B. The person responsible for the immediate training or coaching of a secondary athletic team should be a member
of the regular teaching staff of the school district. If a non-faculty member is used (paid or volunteer), that person
must be registered by the school with the MHSAA before assuming any coaching duties. A coach must be at least
eighteen (18) years of age and not a current high school student.
C. If a team is removed from competition in protest, the contest is forfeited to the opponent and the coach and principal
of the removed team must appear before the Executive Committee to indicate why additional action should not be
taken. The Executive Committee may also require the appearance of personnel from other schools and game offi-
cials.
D. If the coach is ejected from the contest and an assistant coach, or an assigned school representative is not avail-
able to continue as the coach, the event is terminated and forfeited to the opponent.
E. When a contest is interrupted or it ends prematurely because of breakdown of proper sportsmanship and whether
or not the on-site officials forfeit the contest to one team, one or both schools may be subjected to any or all, but
not limited to, the following: censure, probation with competition, probation without competition, forfeiture, loss of
privilege of revenue sharing, expulsion. In addition, it may be required of one or both schools that their coaches
and administrators appear before the Executive Committee to indicate why additional action should not be taken.
F. All schools should strive to the standard that all coaches of interscholastic athletic teams complete the MHSAA
Coaches Advancement Program (CAP). It should be the goal of every member school to require coaching educa-
tion for every coach, every year.
III. COACHING REQUIREMENTS
A. Each head coach of a varsity team in a sport under MHSAA jurisdiction shall complete (in person or online) the
MHSAA rules meeting for that sport for the current school year prior to the deadline if meetings are provided and
attendance is required. If the head coach does not complete a rules meeting prior to the deadline, that coach shall
be prohibited from coaching in that season’s MHSAA tournament for the sport involved and shall not be present at
the facility where the MHSAA tournament involving that coach’s team is being held. An administrator of that school
shall be present with supervisory capacity over the school’s competitors.
B. A high school must attest that all of its subvarsity and assistant coaches (paid or volunteer) have completed an
MHSAA rules meeting (in person or online) for that sport for the current school year. A school shall not permit a
coach who has not completed the requirement to be present at the MHSAA tournament in that coach’s sport.
C. High schools must attest by each season’s established deadline that all varsity head coaches have a valid current
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. CPR is required for junior varsity and 9th grade head coaches
in 2022-23. The established deadline shall be the dates set for the completion of the MHSAA rules meeting for the
sport. In 2021-22, these are September 16, 2021 (fall sports), December 9, 2021 (winter sports), April 14, 2022
(spring sports). A person who is head coach for more than one sport during the school year must meet the deadline
for the first of those sports. A school shall not permit a coach who has not completed the requirement to be present
at the MHSAA Tournament in that coach’s sport.
D. Each head coach of a varsity team in a sport under MHSAA jurisdiction hired for the first time as a high school var-
sity head coach at any MHSAA member school after July 31, 2016, shall have completed either CAP 1 or CAP 2
of the MHSAA Coaches Advancement Program (CAP). If the head coach does not complete CAP 1 or CAP 2 prior
to the established deadline, that coach shall be prohibited from coaching in that season’s MHSAA tournament for
the sport involved and shall not be present at the facility where the MHSAA tournament involving that coach’s team
is being held. An administrator or faculty member designee of that school shall be present with supervisory capacity
over the school’s competitors.
Deadlines for compliance are:
Fall: September 16, 2021
Winter: December 9, 2021
Spring: April 14, 2022
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
5E. The use of a third-party contractor does not change a member school or coach’s responsibility to follow all MHSAA
regulations.
F. Failure to receive reminder notifications (email or other) does not change the requirement.
IV. COMPENSATION
Compensation for coaches is taxable income subject to state and federal regulations. Neither faculty nor non-faculty
coaches may receive compensation for interscholastic coaching duties except through the school, and such com-
pensation shall not be based on wins, championship and tournament participation, and shall not exceed predeter-
mined payments and limitations which are commensurate with compensation to classroom teachers’ schedules for
supplementary assignments. Prohibited payments to coaches include, but are not limited to:
1. Compensation (directly or indirectly from any source) to supply team members with equipment, supplements,
uniforms, shoes or warm-ups.
2. Compensation (directly or indirectly from any source) to encourage or facilitate students’ enrollment at a partic-
ular college or university.
3. Compensation (directly or indirectly from any source) as an inducement for the school team to be scheduled for
a game or tournament.
4. Compensation (directly or indirectly from any source) as an inducement to obtain the presence of one or more
students of the school to participate in a camp, clinic, combine, game or tournament sponsored by any entity.
5. Compensation (directly or indirectly from any source) which exceeds the existing payment schedule for coach-
es.
Note: Booster Clubs may donate funds to schools for coaches compensation provided the school determines and
issues the compensation and all other Interpretations are followed. Schools may use third party contractors for the
purpose of coaches compensation provided the school remains the source of the funds and all other Interpretations
are followed.
V. PLAYING RULES AND RATING OFFICIALS
A. Schools shall adhere to the playing rules adopted by the MHSAA to govern games and meets in baseball, basket-
ball, bowling, competitive cheer, cross country, football golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, ski-
ing, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.
B. Unless modified elsewhere in the regulations, the official playing rules for competition involving one or more
MHSAA member junior high/middle schools or high schools are as follows:
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Girls Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Boys Lacrosse, Girls
Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, Girls Volleyball and Wrestling – National
Federation of State High School Associations (published or endorsed).
Bowling – U.S. Bowling Congress (applicable rules as stated in MHSAA Participating School Tournament
Information).
Girls Competitive Cheer and Skiing – MHSAA
Golf – U.S. Golf Association
Tennis – U.S. Tennis Association
C. High schools and others which sponsor competition for member high school teams, shall use in the sports con-
cerned, only those athletic officials who are registered with the Michigan High School Athletic Association for the
current year in football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, wrestling, girls competitive cheer, girls gymnastics,
lacrosse, girls softball, girls volleyball and soccer. The referee and/or starter used in all interscholastic swimming,
cross country or track and field meets must be registered for the current year in that sport.
Schools are responsible for rating officials who officiate contests involving their teams in sports for which officials’
ratings are maintained. Schools which fail to rate any officials during the season shall be subject to penalties. The
school principal or athletic director shall verify that the ratings submitted are truthful and accurate, have met with
the approval of the appropriate school administrator, and are submitted on the school’s behalf.
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
6All ratings must be submitted online at mhsaa.com. Coaches or school administrators need to login to the site
using their email address and password to submit online ratings. Schools should rate, one time only, each individ-
ual who works their varsity games, whether home or away. The same procedure applies to officials who officiate
sub-varsity contests.
The current procedure provides the MHSAA an additional tool for the assignment of tournament officials. It also
provides officials, when their average ratings are determined, an idea of how they rate in comparison to other years
and other officials. In either case, the MHSAA does not inform officials of the rating given them by individual
schools.
Officials are also allowed to provide feedback on the sportsmanship of the student-athletes and coaches for all
teams involved during a contest, as well as providing feedback for the host site/game management. Officials may
only submit feedback for teams and contests that they have officiated during the current season. The purpose of
the program is to give schools information and feedback on how their programs are perceived by the registered
officials who work their games and contests.
Officials must complete an MHSAA rules meeting prior to officiating high school regular-season contests.
VI. DISQUALIFICATION RULES FOR ATHLETES AND COACHES
Coaches are cautioned to refrain from providing opinions regarding eligibility. It is recommended that statements
regarding eligibility be issued by a principal or athletic director. It is the responsibility of schools to enter into com-
petition only those students who are eligible under MHSAA regulations. Under MHSAA rules, a student may not
participate on a sub-varsity and varsity team in the same sport on the same day.
Penalty Summary
• When a coach or student is ejected or disqualified from an MHSAA contest (including as a result of progressive
penalties such as yellow cards in soccer, technical fouls in basketball or unsportsmanlike fouls in football),
he/she shall be ineligible to continue participating in that day of competition.
• He/she will also be ineligible, at minimum, to participate in the next day of competition regardless the number of
contests scheduled (See Defining “Next Day of Competition” Suspension); and will be ineligible to participate
indefinitely until he/she completes the specified NFHS online sportsmanship course (See Required Online
Sportsmanship Course).
Overturning Ejection/Disqualification
• Ejections/Disqualifications may not be overturned or rescinded by the contest official(s) after play has resumed
following the ejection/disqualification, or after the officials have left the grounds or facility if a post-contest ejec-
tion. Officials and coaches may not negotiate a “quasi-ejection”, in which the participant is ejected, but the offi-
cial agrees not to submit a report to avoid the next day of competition penalty.
• There is no appeal or protest of an ejection/disqualification by a contest official, and the MHSAA and its staff
will not substitute its judgment in regards to an ejection/disqualification in place of that of the official’s.
Requirements Following Ejection/Disqualification
• A coach that is ejected must leave immediately and shall not be present on site or within sight, sound or com-
munication for the remainder of that day of competition.
• A student that is ejected may be allowed to remain on the team bench as long as he/she does not create any
further disturbance. If warranted, the contest official(s) may require the student to leave the playing site/facility;
in which case, he/she must be accompanied by an adult.
Defining “Next Day of Competition” Suspension
• The “Next Day of Competition” suspension for both coaches and students applies to that team, in that sport, at
that level, and all intervening contests in that sport at any level.
• If there are no further days of competition remaining at that level in which the coach or student is disqualified,
he/she shall be ineligible for at least the next day of competition in that sport at any level (including an MHSAA
tournament contest).
• If the coach or student is ejected/disqualified during the last contest date of that season (including during the
MHSAA tournament):
o For graduating seniors or eighth-graders, he/she shall be ineligible for the next day of competition in the next
sport in which he/she participates that year.
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7o For all other students, he/she shall be ineligible for the next day of competition in that sport at any level the
following year. If the student does not participate in the same sport the following year, he/she shall be ineligi-
ble for the next day of competition in the next sport in which he/she participates.
• Scrimmages do not satisfy the next day of competition suspension requirement.
Permissible Activity during Suspension of Next Day of Competition
• Coaches serving a suspension on the next day of competition are not permitted to be present at the facility
(home or away) and may not participate in pregame activities (i.e., bus rides, pep talks or warm-ups) on site of
the competition. Coaches that are parents of participating students are not provided any special consideration
and are not eligible to coach or attend the next day of competition.
• Students serving a suspension on the next day of competition may be allowed by their school to be present at
the facility and on the bench with his/her team (permitted to dress in uniform), but may not participate.
Required Online Sportsmanship Course
• In addition to the minimum next day of competition suspension, a coach or student is not eligible to participate
in any contest in that sport at any level until:
o If a coach, he/she completes the National Federation Teaching and Modeling Behavior learning course (or
other course designated by the MHSAA) and submits a certificate of completion to the school’s athletic
director.
o If a student, he/she completes the National Federation Sportsmanship learning course (or other course des-
ignated by the MHSAA) and submits a certificate of completion to the school’s athletic director.
School’s Onus for Enforcement
• Contest officials that penalize a coach or student by ejection/disqualification are required to submit an incident
report indicating the actions leading up to, and including, the ejection. This must be submitted within 48 hours
from the conclusion of the contest date. Additionally, the official(s) should notify the school’s athletic director in
person, by phone or by email of any ejection/disqualification by noon the next day.
• However, it is the school’s responsibility to ensure that any coach or student ejected/disqualified serves the
required suspension on the next day of competition, regardless as to whether the athletic director receives noti-
fication of the ejection/disqualification from the contest official(s) by report or otherwise.
• In sports that do not have contest officials (i.e., golf, tennis, bowling), the host school or tournament manager is
responsible to contact the school whose coach/student was ejected.
Suspended/Forfeited Contest Provisions
• When a coach or student is ejected during a contest that is subsequently suspended, he/she is not eligible to
return to participate in the resumed portion of that contest, regardless of the date it is resumed. If the suspend-
ed portion of the contest is resumed on a later date when another contest will take place, the coach or student
is eligible to participate in that additional contest as long as he/she has already served his/her next day of com-
petition suspension and completed the required online sportsmanship course.
• If a coach’s or student’s next day of competition occurs on a date in which a contest is suspended or forfeited,
this shall satisfy the suspension requirement. If the suspended contest is resumed on a later date, the coach or
student shall be permitted to participate in the resumed portion of the suspended contest as long as he/she has
completed the required online sportsmanship course.
Sport-Specific Participation Provisions
• Except for where specified below, if a coach or student is ejected, disqualified or removed from further partici-
pation during a contest by rule or because of unsportsmanlike conduct, it shall be considered an ejection and is
subject to the next day of competition suspension and completion of the required online sportsmanship course.
(See Overturning Ejection/Disqualification).
Baseball
o A coach or student may be restricted to the dugout as permitted by the rules. A coach restricted to the
dugout may continue to coach from that position; but a student restricted to the dugout may not participate
in any further capacity. In neither case is this considered an ejection/disqualification that results in a next
day of competition suspension.
Basketball
o When a student accumulates five fouls, he/she is ineligible from further participation in the current contest,
but does not result in a next day of competition suspension unless he/she receives two technical fouls or a
single flagrant foul.
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8Boys Lacrosse
o When a student accumulates five minutes of penalties, he/she is ineligible from further participation in the
current contest, but does not result in a next day of competition suspension. If a student receives two non-
releasable unsportsmanlike fouls, this is equivalent to an ejection and is subject to the next day of competi-
tion suspension.
Girls Lacrosse
o When a coach or student receives a second yellow card, he/she is ineligible from further participation in the
current contest, but does not result in a next day of competition suspension. If a coach or student receives a
red card, this is equivalent to an ejection and is subject to the next day of competition suspension.
Ice Hockey
o When a coach or student is disqualified from a contest, he/she is not eligible to participate in the next two
days of competition. A second disqualification in the same season results in a next four days of competition
suspension (See Multiple Ejections/Disqualification in the Same Season), and a third disqualification in a
season results in a suspension for the remainder of the season.
o A game misconduct penalty results in no further participation in the current contest, but does not result in a
next two days of competition suspension. A game disqualification penalty is equivalent to an ejection and is
subject to the next two days of competition suspension. When a coach or student violates the post-contest
ejection policy, it shall be designated as a game disqualification.
Track and Field
o When a student is disqualified from an event for a rules violation that does not involve unsporting conduct or
behavior, it does not result in a next day of competition suspension.
Volleyball
o When a coach or student receives a single red card, he/she is restricted to the bench for the remainder of
the contest. A coach restricted to the bench may continue to coach from that position; but a student restrict-
ed to the bench may not participate in any further capacity. In neither case is this considered an ejection/dis-
qualification that results in a next day of competition suspension. If a coach or student receives a red/yellow
card, this is equivalent to an ejection and is subject to the next day of competition suspension.
Ejections/Disqualifications during an MHSAA Tournament
• If a coach or student is ejected during an MHSAA tournament contest, the next day of competition suspension
must be served the next day of tournament competition for that team, in that sport, and all intervening contests
in that sport at any level.
• If there are no further days of competition remaining for that team in the MHSAA tournament from which the
student or coach is disqualified, it shall be served in accordance with normal disqualification rules (See
Defining “Next Day of Competition” Suspension).
Multiple Ejections/Disqualifications in the Same Season
• Any coach that is ejected/disqualified two or more times during a season, or any student who is disqualified
three or more times during a season, is ineligible for participation in the MHSAA tournament for that sport that
season. This penalty does not carry over to another sport during that year or another tournament in the same
sport the following year (even if such ejection/disqualification occurs during an MHSAA tournament).
Physical Contact with Contest Official
• Any coach or student that makes intentional and/or aggressive physical contact with an official during or follow-
ing a contest (including, but not limited to, hitting, slapping, kicking or pushing), leading to or following his/her
ejection/disqualification, he/she shall be ineligible for participation in the MHSAA tournament for that sport that
season. The coach or student is not permitted to be on site or within sight, sound or communication during the
entire tournament. This penalty does not carry over to another sport during that year, or another tournament in
the same sport the following year (even if such ejection/disqualification occurs during an MHSAA tournament).
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
9Circumvention of the Intent of the Regulation
• If a school, athletic director and/or coach is determined by MHSAA staff as having acted in attempt to circum-
vent the regulation requiring the next day of competition suspension, such as, but not limited to, adding an
intervening contest to the schedule or “playing” a student for a contest in which they were not already expected
to participate, the provisions of that requirement shall not have been satisfied. This may result in the
ejected/disqualified person having to serve an additional day of competition suspension, or further penalties
(See Penalties for Failure to Enforce Suspensions).
Penalties for Failure to Enforce Suspensions
• If a school or official is aware that a next day of competition suspension was not enforced, the school of the
ejected coach/student should be contacted first so that they may resolve the issue – followed up by a call or
email to the MHSAA, if necessary.
• If a school knowingly fails for any reason to withhold a coach or student from competition when required, the
contest in which he/she participated may be retroactively forfeited in addition to the ejected/disqualified person
having to serve an additional day of competition suspension.
• If a school willingly and intentionally fails to enforce a next day of competition suspension, or uses tactics to cir-
cumvent the intent of the regulations, this will prohibit the school from entry in the next MHSAA tournament for
that sport, or from the remainder of the current tournament if the disqualification occurs during an MHSAA tour-
nament or during the last regular-season contest.
VII. SPORTSMANSHIP
If a team is removed from competition in protest, the contest is forfeited to the opponent and the coach and principal
of the removed team must appear before the Executive Committee to indicate why additional action should not be
taken. The Executive Committee may also require the appearance of personnel from other schools and game offi-
cials.
If the coach is ejected from the contest and an assistant coach, or an assigned school representative is not avail-
able to continue as the coach the event is terminated and forfeited to the opponent.
When a contest ends prematurely because of breakdown of proper sportsmanship and whether or not the on-site
officials forfeit the contest to one team, one or both schools may be subjected to any or all, but not limited to, the
following: censure, probation with competition, probation without competition, forfeiture, loss of privilege of revenue
sharing, expulsion. In addition, it may be required of one or both schools that their coaches and administrators
appear before the Executive Committee to indicate why additional action should not be taken.
VIII. ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR ATHLETES
A. AGE
Senior high school students must be under 19 years of age, 8th-graders under 15, 7th-graders under 14 and 6th –
graders under 13, unless that birthday occurs on or after Sept. 1 of the current school year, in which case they are
eligible throughout the school year. (See page 16 for additional information on 6th-grade allowances.)
B. AMATEURISM
Eligibility for interscholastic athletics at MHSAA member schools is limited to amateurs, meaning those student-ath-
letes who have not received gifts of material or money and have not received other valuable considerations, including
special considerations for loans, because of athletic performance or potential. Treatment of or privileges received by
athletes or their families that are not provided or available to all students violate the principles of amateurism in inter-
scholastic athletics. Gifts or loans to family members, based on the student’s athletic performance or potential, are
treated as gifts or loans to the student and violate that student’s amateur status.
Students cannot receive money or other valuable consideration for participating in MHSAA sponsored sports or offi-
ciating in interscholastic athletic contests, except as allowed by Handbook interpretations 136-149; or have signed
a professional athletic contract.
C. AWARDS
1. A student may accept, for participation in athletics, symbolic or merchandise awards such as trophies, medals
or plaques which do not have a fair market value or cost in excess of $40.
2. Awards for athletic participation in the form of cash, merchandise certificates, or any other negotiable document
are never allowed.
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
103. Banquets, luncheons, dinners, non-competitive trips, and fees or admissions to be a spectator at events, if
accepted “in kind,” are permitted.
4. Prizes or awards to team members who raise the most money through team fundraising efforts, which involve
athletes or their parents only, are subject to awards limits: No cash or negotiable certificates are allowed; max-
imum value of $40. Fundraising that involves all students in the school are not subject to this restriction. Prizes,
cash or merchandise awards to students from third party fund raising organizations are not allowed unless the
fund raising activity is open to other students in the school, not just team members.
5. Acceptance of game balls from contests in which students participated does not violate the Awards Regulation.
6. Fundraising by team members to purchase athletic equipment, clothing, shoes or other items specific to that
team membership is allowable as long as the item(s) remains a part of the school athletic department invento-
ry.
7. Players may purchase at fair (current) market value and keep equipment such as shoes, gloves, jerseys, jackets
and award sweaters without incurring a loss of eligibility. Personal wear items such as caps, shoes, and swim-
suits may have a value of zero at the end of the season.
D. “ALL-STAR” CONTESTS/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
No athletic director, coach, teacher, or administrator of a Michigan high school, and no athletic official registered
with the Michigan High School Athletic Association, shall at any time, during the school year, assist either directly
or indirectly with the coaching, management, direction, selection or transportation of players, promotion, or officiating
of any “all-star” exhibition or similar contest, or of any contest that is or purports to be a national high school cham-
pionship event (or national junior high/middle school championship event) or the qualification thereto in any MHSAA
sponsored sport if any of the participants is enrolled in an MHSAA member high school at the time of the event.
E. ENROLLMENT
1. Students must be enrolled in the school for which they compete.
2. Students cannot be enrolled in high school for more than eight semesters or 12 trimesters. The seventh and
eighth semesters must be consecutive, or the 10th, 11th and 12th trimesters must be consecutive.
3. Students are allowed only four first semesters and four second semesters, or four first, four second or four
third trimesters.
4. Students cannot compete if they have graduated from high school, except as provided in Regulation I,
Section 6 of the MHSAA Handbook.
F. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
1. Students must pass 66% of full credit load potential for a full-time student during the previous
semester/trimester.
2. Students must be currently passing at least 66% of full credit load potential for a full-time student.
3. Schools may require higher standards.
G. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Students must have on file in the school administrative office a statement for the current school year certifying that
they are physically able to compete in athletic tryouts, practices and scrimmages, and a consent for disclosure.
Valid physical exams for each school year must be conducted on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
H. LIMITED TEAM MEMBERSHIP
1. After practicing with (including tryouts) or participating in an interscholastic scrimmage or contest as a member
of a high school athletic team, students cannot participate in an athletic contest on non-school teams in the
same sport during the school season.
2. Ice hockey, bowling, cross country, golf, gymnastics, swimming & diving, track & field and wrestling shall apply
the limited team membership rule from the point of a student’s first participation in an interscholastic scrimmage
or contest, rather than practice.
3. Alpine skiing shall apply the limited team membership rule to each individual from the point of the team’s first
participation in an interscholastic scrimmage or contest; rather than the first practice or competition of the indi-
vidual.
4. Tennis shall apply the limited team membership rule to all students in that season commencing with the first day
of allowed competition for any student under MHSAA regulations, regardless of when the team or student begins
competition or the player joins the team.
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115. During the high school season in bowling, cross country, golf, gymnastics, alpine skiing, swimming & diving, ten-
nis, track & field or wrestling, a member of the school team in that sport may participate in a maximum of two
non-school meets or contests in that sport while not representing his or her school. An event held on not more
than three consecutive calendar days is considered a single meet in terms of limited team membership.
6. Points earned, weight established, times or records established shall not count toward any qualifying require-
ment for MHSAA meets or tournaments. Meets or tournaments entered under the above provisions shall not
affect the number of games, contests or days of competition specified for each school team and individual.
I. MASTER ELIGIBILITY LISTS
Schools shall prepare a Master Eligibility List or its equivalent of all students eligible for that sport under the provi-
sions of the Regulations, including current term academic record. A list must be prepared prior to participation and
at the beginning of each semester/trimester. Additions to the squad should be duly added. Current copies of the
Master Eligibility List are to be available to competing schools upon request and must be submitted by the opt-out
due date to the manager at the entry level of each MHSAA Tournament to which the school is assigned.
IX. COACH-PLAYER RELATIONSHIPS
A. OUT-OF-SEASON COACHING REGULATIONS (see pages 21-24 for additional information)
1. Coaches are limited to providing coaching in their sport to four students in grades 7-12 of the school district in
which they coach. The four player period runs from the Monday when Aug. 15 occurs through the Sunday after
Memorial Day (Aug. 9, 2021 through June 5, 2022).
The regulation which permits a coach to coach a maximum of four students from the same school out-of-season
during the school year (four player rule) does not allow two coaches to coach six or eight students from the same
school. No matter how many coaches are present, no more than four players from the same school district may
receive coaching or sport-specific instruction at the same time at the same facility or campus out-of-season dur-
ing the school year.
Voluntary structured and scheduled practice rotations throughout a facility of four player groups moving from
conditioning programs or weight training or open gyms to skill development sessions (e.g. hitting, throwing, run-
ning, lifting) are permitted at the same time on the same campus or facility provided no more than one of the
four-player groups involves sport-specific instruction. Two gyms does not permit two four player skill groups.
Within a voluntary practice rotation, when sport-specific equipment is used separately from the coaching instruc-
tion allowed in a four-player skill group, it is considered an activity of an open gym when it is:
• Student –conducted; students choose from offered activities.
• Any coach of a sport under MHSAA jurisdiction who is present shall not coach, instruct, critique, direct, eval-
uate or participate in a sport he/she coaches.
• Recreational emphasis; not an organized program of instruction and/or competition.
• There must not be any organized drills, practice structure and no instruction by an person, including team
captains and parents.
During the school year, when it is out of season for both the boys and girls teams in the same sport, four-player
skill groups may take place separately for each gender in that sport at the same time with separate coaches at
the same facility or campus. If the same person is a school’s coach for both the boys and girls teams in a sport
during the school year, then four students of each gender may receive coaching at the same time and place,
but the four-player groups may not interact in any activity. It is also intended that the four-player rule apply to
Internet-based or other digital presentations.
School coaches of non-school teams are allowed to provide coaching in non-school competition to four students
of that coach's school district while, in another part of the facility or on the same court, other students from that
same school district are receiving coaching from another coach, even one of the same school, provided the
competition is the result of a tournament draw or progression.
2. Four year round principles apply to schools and coaches out-of-season all of the time, including summer and
off season during the school year at workouts, clinics, camps or competitions:
a. No activity may be mandatory or part of selection to the school team.
b. No school transportation or school or booster club funds for transportation.
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
12c. No school general funds; a limit of $200 per student and sport from school-approved, fund-raised money is
allowed.
d. No school competition uniforms or warm-ups may be used. Practice jerseys are permitted.
3. Open gyms may be conducted in one or more sports but must follow the four year-round principles and not be
a part of team selection. Coaches may not coach, critique, evaluate or participate in the sport they coach. Open
gyms are student conducted and recreational. There shall be no organized instruction or competition, drills or
practice structure and no instruction by captains, parents or others. Open gyms must be open to all students
of the school; but it is not required that they be open to the general public. The athletic-related transfer rule
would render a student who attends an open gym and then transfers to that school ineligible for 180 school days
in that sport.
4. Provided they are not mandatory or part of team selection; conditioning and weightlifting are permitted year-
round except during the summer dead period. Conditioning must be non-sport specific and not use any equip-
ment such as balls, nets, dummies, sleds or helmets. Jumps, cones and fitness apparatus are permitted.
5. During the summer there are no school teams however, school coaches and students may assemble from the
same school over the summer in various settings (except during the summer dead period).
6. During the summer, five sports are limited to 15 dates of competition when more than four or seven students
from that school and a school coach are present in competition against others not enrolled in that school.
Basketball, volleyball and ice hockey, the rule activates when there are four players and a coach; in soccer,
lacrosse and football, the rule activates when there are seven players and a coach. Football may only have
seven summer dates of competition (passing league games). Only football helmets and football shoes are per-
mitted out-of-season in any setting including camps or clinics, whether held in-state or out-of-state. Summer
competition must be prior to August 1 and must follow the travel rule if held outside of Michigan. All teams at
an event must be within 300 miles or from bordering states (not just those who you play against). Other sports
are not limited in summer competition but the year-round principles always apply.
7. The limited player period ends on Monday after Memorial Day. Except for the dead period, any number of play-
ers may have contact with their coach in the summer provided the four year round principles apply. Schools
may regulate the frequency and intensity of any summer voluntary workouts.
8. A seven day zero player/coach and zero school facility period of time from the end of school or participation in
the MHSAA spring tournaments to August 1 is called the summer dead period. No coach contact is allowed at
fund raiser functions or places of employment. Each school sets its own seven day dead period and it applies to
all sports (except that non-school summer baseball or softball games and practices may continue.)
B. TRANSFER STUDENTS
A good rule to follow regarding the eligibility of a student is: “When in doubt, sit the student out. . .until we find out!”
Many coaches have encountered problems when they play athletes who are ineligible in a contest or scrimmage
and their schools must forfeit those contests. It does not matter whether the participation was accidental or inten-
tional, the contest is still forfeited. The transfer regulation is one for which coaches and parents must seek admin-
istrative assistance.
1. A student who does not qualify for one of the Exceptions under Section 9(A) and has transferred (changed
enrollment) from a high school in Michigan or elsewhere at which he/she has participated in an MHSAA tourna-
ment sport on any level (9th grade, JV or varsity) of that school’s team in an interscholastic scrimmage or con-
test during the previous season for a sport, is not eligible for the next season (including MHSAA tournament) in
that sport at any MHSAA member high school; and if the transfer occurs during a season, that student is also
not eligible in that sport at any level for the remainder of that season (including MHSAA tournament). This stu-
dent is eligible for all other sports.
2. Students in grades 9 through 12 who in the previous or current season did not participate in an interscholastic
scrimmage or contest on a school-sponsored team in Michigan or elsewhere in an MHSAA sport may transfer
from one school to another with no delay in eligibility under the transfer rule at any level in that sport. No MHSAA
action is required. Section 9(F) applies.
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133. If there are compelling circumstances for changing schools having nothing to do with athletics, discipline or fam-
ily finances and would not require Executive Committee evaluation or comparison of school demographics, envi-
ronment or curriculum, schools may request that the Executive Committee waive the regulation to the extent
that the period of ineligibility in the sport involved is reduced to 90 scheduled school days of enrollment in the
new school. If approved, eligibility begins on the first calendar day following the 90th scheduled school day. The
Executive Committee also has authority to approve immediate eligibility.
C. ATHLETIC-RELATED TRANSFERS (LINKS)
A high school student-athlete who changes schools and is ineligible under Section 9(A) and applicable Interpretations
is ineligible to compete in the sport involved for the remainder of the current season and the next season in an inter-
scholastic scrimmage or contest for the high school to which that student transferred if any one of the following cir-
cumstances existed during the previous 12 months:
1. That student participated at an open gym at that high school to which the student has transferred.
2. That student participated as an individual or on a non-school team or activity coached, coordinated or directed
by any of that high school’s parents (former or current) or administrators or by any of its coaches in the sport
involved for either gender, including contact permitted under Regulation II, Section 11(H) 2 b (summer days of
competition) or at camps or clinics.
3. A transfer student’s participation in otherwise allowed out-of-season or summer activity with staff (coaches or
administrators) of the new school, prior to being on the written or electronic records of the school that the student
transfers into. This would cause the student to be ineligible as under Section 9(B) in that sport. A new student’s
enrollment information must be on file in the offices of the superintendent or principal or athletic director prior to
participation in otherwise allowed out-of-season or summer activity.
4. One of that high school’s coaches served as a personal sport trainer, conditioner or instructor (paid or volunteer)
for that student. Note: The ineligibility will apply to all sports a student previously participated in during the pre-
vious or current season when transferring into a school where a non-sport-specific instructor (strength and con-
ditioning coach) is on staff.
5. Regardless of the student’s eligibility under Exception 1 of Section 9(A), that student transfers to a school where
the coach of his/her most recent previous high school is employed (any level, paid or volunteer), even if the
transfer of the student precedes the hiring of the coach. In this circumstance, Exception 1 (residential change)
would not permit immediate eligibility. The student would be ineligible in the sport involved if that sport is in
progress at the time of the transfer and the next full season for sports whose seasons have ended. Eligibility
under Section 9(B) continues to apply to other sports.
D. UNDUE INFLUENCE (RECRUITING)
The use of undue influence for athletic purposes by any person or persons directly or indirectly associated with the
school or its athletic program to secure or encourage the attendance of a student or the student’s parents or
guardians as residents of the school district, shall cause the student to become ineligible for interscholastic scrim-
mages or contests for a minimum of 90 scheduled school days and a maximum of four years. The offending school
shall be placed on probation for up to four years and the offending coach or coaches shall not be permitted to coach
at that school for up to a four-year period in any sport and shall not coach for up to a four-year period at any other
member school in any MHSAA tournament in any sport. Examples of undue influence would include but not be
limited to offers of or acceptance of: residential location, financial aid to parents, guardians or student; reduced or
eliminated tuition and/or fees; any special privileges not accorded to their students, whether athletes or not; trans-
portation allowances; preference in job assignments; room, board or clothing; promotional efforts and admission
policies for athletes which are in excess of efforts for other students.
Funds which have been donated to schools by clubs and individuals may be given as financial aid to students
through the normal financial aid program of the school for all students, without regard to athletic potential. Financial
aid based even partially on athletic potential or performance is not permitted from the school or from groups that
exist because of or for the benefit of the school (booster clubs).
Individuals not exclusively representing athletic interests of a high school may make general presentations (not just
athletic) to 6th-, 7th- and 8th grade students (not just athletes). There should be a diversity of presenters speaking
on a variety of topics to students of all interests.
High school coaches or athletic directors may conduct once each school year for each sport a sport specific group
presentation to a group of 6th-, 7th- or 8th-grade students and/or their parents assembled in advance by the school
for the purpose of encouraging students to participate in specific sports when enrolled in that high school.
2021-22 MHSAA Coaches Guidebook
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